Internal combustion engine



2 Sheets-Sheefc l -J. F. GElsx-:R

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE A Nov. 24, 1942.

Filed Nov. 28, 1941 l Nov. 24, 1942.. J, F @ElsER 2,302,851

INTERNAL coMBUsTloN ENGINE 4 I Filed N-OV. 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patentedl Nov. 24, 1942 UNITED sTATEsPATENT OFFICE 2,302,851 MERNALcoMBUs'rxoN ENGiNE f.

"Joseph F. Geiser, Milwaukee, Wis. Application Noember 2s, 1941, serial'No. 420,882

(ci. 12a-s1) 17 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in inbernal combustion engines.The primary object of this invention is the provision of a two cycleinternal combustion en gine which is compactly designed; embodies ciatedcrank shaft and other connecting features.

flexibility and accessibility of parts; and one in which the strains andforces are balanced without the necessity of passing such strains orforces thru the main engine structure or bearings.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improveddouble acting two cycle internal combustion engine in which the forcesincident to operation are so balanced that there is no unnecessarytorque imposed upon the crank shaft or its bearings.

'A further object of this invention is the pro' vision of an internalcombustion engine in which friction losses have been reduced; vibrationsubstantially eliminated, and one in which due to balancing. of forces,the operating parts andy engine casing may be constructed to provide forincreased horse power in proportion to the weight of the engine,compared to conventional internal combustion engine construction.

A further object of this invention isthe provision of an internalcombustion engine of the two cycle double acting type in which highcompression pressures are developed, and increased speed and operatingemciency.

A fiuther object of this invention is the proa vision of an improvedinternal combustion engine, preferably of the two cycle double actingtype, vin which expansion and compression forces, as well as scavengingand inertia pressures, forces and strains are integrated and absorbed byreason of the balanced construction of l the cylinder and pistonarrangement.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an internalcombustion engine in which balanced torque pressures are alone imposedupon the side strains, and thus permitting lessening of the weight ofthe engine frame per horse power compared to conventional constructions.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andwherein similar reference characters designate corresponding partsthruout the several views,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional viewtaken thru opposed cylinders ofthe improved two cycle internal combustion engine, showingthe doublecrank shaft without the imposition of acting pistons in the cylindersand their asso- Figure 2 is a cross sectional view tudinally thru thealigned cylinders of the internal combustion engine in a plane at rightangles to the view of Figure 1 and normal to the axis of the crankshaft, and showing in side elevation certain associated features of theAconnecting rods and yokes interposed between the cylinder pistons andcrank shaft. This view also shows the air scavenging compressors.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken axially of the crankshaft.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken thru the end plunger of one ofthe outer pistons of the crank shaft showing its relation to the hollowouter piston and the connecting yoke for the piston.

Figure 5 is a *fragmentary longitudinal sectional view thru one of theouter pistons; the view being taken substantially on the line 5-5 ofFigure 1.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the opposed inner pistons ofthe engine. l

Figure 7 is a. side elevation oi' an inner Vpiston air cooling plungerand its bracket connection.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the plunger shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view showing the air checkAvalvecimstruction embodied in each piston of the air scavengingcompressors.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only apreferred embodiment of the inventio the letter A may generallydesignate the improved internal combustion engine, which may be of thewater or air cooled type and preferably, altho not necessarily, of a twostroke cycle operation. It embodies features which may be applied tostationary, aviation, or automotive engines or for general use. Theengine A embodies a casing B; crank shaft construction C; inner pistonarrangement D; outer piston arrangement E, and air scavenging means F. l

.As before mentioned, the internal combustion engine is of the doubleacting type. In general principle. the same comprises a casingconstruction in which thereA are provided diametrically opposed andaligned cylinders, which are of course in the same plane. Each of thesecylinders is so constructed as to provide for the operation therein ofdouble acting pistons. The crank shaft structure is disposed between thecylinders and a pair of crank shaft rthrows are provided at each side ofthe axis of the aligned taken longi- A cylinders to which the innerpistons of the cyllnders are connected. and another pair of throws areprovided laterally beyond the rst mentioned pair of throws at each sideof the axis of the` parts of the crank casing. These end walls |31` andI4a are' provided with appropriate bearings Mb. and I5 for supportingthe crank shaft C, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. The cylindersI0 and are provided with compartments or chambers I3 and I4, which areeach open at both ends; the inner ends of said cylinders I0 vand I|projecting into the crank case compartment I6 a short distance andterminating short of the axial portion of the crank shaft. The outerends of these cylinder chambers are also'opened for receiving the outerpistons, as will be subsequently described. The casing construction Bincludes other associated features which will be subsequently mentioned.

The crank shaft C is of novel construction. It includes the end portions20 and 2| supported in the bearings i4b and |5 above mentioned. Withinthe crank case the shaft includes a pair of narrow throws or crankportions 2,3 and 24 adapted vto receive the connecting rods for theouter pair of pistons. Inwardly thereof the crank shaft C also ispovided with a pair of throws 25 and 26 all of w ch are best shown inFigure 3 of the drawings." Opposed pairs of these throws are located ateach side of the cylinder construction of the engine', sdfthat the innerpiston arrangement D above mentioned, is connected to crank throws 25and 26 at each side of this inner piston arrangement, and similarly theouter piston arrangement includes connecting rods associating theouterpistons with the outermost throws and 24 at each side of the cylinderline of the engine. It is thus noted that there is an intermediate shaftsection 30a, of the crank shaft, between the throws 25 and 26 which liesin the axis of rotation of the crank shaft, and will be subsequentlymentioned.

Referring to the inner piston arrangement D, the saine includes pistons36 and 3| respectively operating in the inner ends of the cylinders l0and i. These pistons 36 and 3E are hollow from their inner ends. Theyare suitably recessed as shown at 33 in Figure 6 of the drawings toreceive the intermediate portion 38B of thecrank shaft. The inner endsof these pistons 30 and 3| have lateral extensions 35 and 36respectively which may be suitably bolted together at 3l, shown thruoutthe drawings. These lateral extensions 35 and 36 at each side of thepiston arrangement D and in the plane of the throws 25 and 26 of thecrank shaft, are provided with suitable complementary portions definingyokes l0 and 4|- support the plungers extend transversely across adaptedto slidably receive therein the bearing v portions of the crank shaftthrows 25 and 26 respectively. The yokes 40 and dl are provided withelongated ways i3 therein, shown best in Figure 2 of the drawings, whichreceive the roller or other anti-friction bearing rings or members it@preferably disposed upon the throws 25 and 25 of the crank shaft, asshown in the drawings.' The operation of this inner piston arrangement Dwill be perfectly-apparent from this description.

Means is provided for cooling the hollow pistons 30 and 3|. said pistons3|) and 3| are open and the chambers therein are provided withlongitudinal fins 50 shown in Figures 1 and 3 ofthe drawings. A plungerarrangement is provided at the inner end of each cylinder I0 and Il,which enters the chamber of the respective piston as the pistonreciprocates. The plunger arrangement is best shown in detail in Figures7 and 8 of the drawings and each consists of a bracket portion 52 ofvU-shaped formation diametrically straddling the inner end of thecylinder and attached thereto as at 53. The bight portion of the bracket52 has the plunger 55 thereon in vaxial alignment with' the cylinder andin position to enter the chamber of the piston. Note that a plunger 55is provided for each piston 30 and 3|. The plungers 55 are, of course,stationary due to their attachment to the cylinders, and the bightportions 52 which the passageway 33 at the inner ends of the pistonarrangement. The brackets 52 are so shaped as to be slightly spaced fromthe intermediate portion :itla of the crank shaft, and they do notinterfere with the throws 25 and 26 of the crank shaft, as is perfectlyapparent.

As the pistons reciprocate, the plungers enter the chambers of thepistons and produce a circulation of air, due to the pumping actioncaused thereby. The fins 50 assist in bringing the heat to the inside ofthe piston.

Referring to the outer piston construction E, the same comprises theouter pistons 60 and 6| respectively operating in the outer ends ofcylinders i0 and and in double acting association with the pistons 30and 3| respectively. These pistons 60 and 6| are hollow, the chamberstherein opening outwardly and having longitudinal ns 62a therein.

The pistons 60 and 6| at the outer ends thereof are each provided with ayoke 62. It is bifurcated at its central portion to provide an openingl(it, shown best in Figure 4, to permit the passage therethru of an aircooling plunger to be subsequently described. The yokes 62 have lugxtensions 65 entering the respective pistons 60 and 6| and are attachedto the latter by pins 66 which are pivoted in the walls of the pistons.These yokes 62 have al slight rocker action upon the pistons tocompensate for any irregularity in action due to expansion orcontraction of the parts of the engine.

The outer piston 60 is provided with a pair of connecting rods ormembers 10 and ll disposed laterally and externally at opposite sides ofthe cylinder i0; pivotally connected at 'I2 and 13 respectively to theouter ends of the arms forming the yoke 62v of the cylinder 6|); theseconnecting rods 70 and '1| bearing at 'I5 and I6 respectively insuitable portions of the engine casing construction B, as shown inFigure 1 of the drawings, and entering the crank shaft in the planes ofthe throw portions 23 and 24 respectively, and there being provided withcomplementary portions which deiine yokes and 8| adapted to operate inconnection with the throws 23 and 24 respectively of the crank shaft.

The piston 6| is likewise .provided with connecting rods or members 83and 84 respectively connected by preferably pivotal connections at 85with the outer ends of the arms -forming the yoke 62 of cylinder 6|; theinner portion of these It is noted that the inner ends of 2 and 3 of thedrawings.

connecting members 83 and 84 slidably bearing at 81 and 88 respectively,in portions ofthe crank casing and entering the crank case chamber andthere providing the other complementary porl.tions defining the yokestructures 80 and 8| re- It will be noted that means is provided alongthe length of each of theI connecting rods or members 10, 1|, 83 and 84at the location 92 4for adjusting the length of each connecting rod,

and the pivot connections of each connecting member with the yoke 82'provide additional n means to adjust irregularities incident tocontraction and expansion of engine parts.

The means for cooling the outer pistons 80 and 6|, as above mentioned,is similar to the means provided for the inner pistons. The meansconsists of providing a housing construction 95 at the outer end of eachcylinder |0 and and connected with the said cylinders in a detachablerelation; these housings 95 providing chambers which house the yokeportions 82 of the outer pistons. -The housings 9 5 each include anouter detachable cover 96 having vent openings 91 therein. These covers98` are provided with plungers axially aligned with the chambers in thepistons 80 and 8| and adapted to operate in the openings 84 providedthru the bifurcated yokes 82; the plungers |90* operating in thechambers of the outer pistons with a pumplike action for circulating airthru the pistons to provide the necessary cooling action.

I preferably provide balanced air scavenging spective compressorcylinders. A detail of this is shown in Figure 9 wherein the piston isshown as having air ports |40 therein. A resilient check valve dise |4|is disposed at the inner side of the piston and there held in positionby a suitable spider |42, the arms of which are round or tapered topermit the outer marginal portions of thecheck valve disc |4| to moveslightly as the pistons move outwardly in their respective compressorcylinders for permitting ingress of air to the compressor cylinders.

It is believed that an operation of the engine will be apparent from theforegoing description. The engine has a two cycle operation, and anyapproved two stroke cycle ignition and fuel injection system may beused. Each cylinder has double acting `pistons therein, and thesepistons are balanced in their action in each cylinder and the cylindersare so arranged as to balance the force and` action of the sets ofpistons in both cylinders.

' Various changes in the shape, ize and arrangement of parts maybe madeto the form of invention `herein shown and described, without departingfrom the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1; In an internal combustion engine the combination of a casingincluding opposed cylinders, a crank shaft construction for the casingincluding a pair of opposed throws at eachside of the `axial line of thecylinders, inner pistons for each cylinder having means connecting themto a pair of the most adjacent throws of the crank shaft and at eachside of the cylinder axis of the casing, outer pistons operating in thecylin ders, and means connecting each of said outer pistons to theoutermost throws ofthe crank shaft at each side o'f the cylinder axis ofthe casing, -said means for connecting the inner and l outer pistons tothe throws of the crank shaft means for the cylinders I0 and il of theengine.

This preferably consists of compression cylinders |00 and |0| at eachside of the cylinders |0 of the engine, and compression cylinders |02and |03 at each side of the cylinder of the engine. These cylinders.are-connected to the crank casing of the internal combustion engine. Thecylinders |00 and |02 are provided withv a duct connection |05 with thechamber of the engine cylinder Il, and the compression cylinders 0| and|03 have duct communication'at |08 with the chamber of the othercylinder I0. Itis to be noted that the cylinders 0| and |03 have abuilt-in passageway connection ||0 as part of the crank caseconstruction, and likewise the cylinders |00 and |02 have their chambersconnected by a similar passageway n 'I'he compressor pistons ||5 and ||8operate in opposed-relation to the opposed pistons ||1 and |I8. 'I'hatis, when air is being compressed in the cylinders |00 and |02 forscavenging the cylinder I, the pistons ||1 and ||8 are operatingoutwardly for check valve inlet of fresh air therethru for a subsequentscavenging compression action.

It should be noted that the pistons H8 and I |1 are provided with pistonrods with strap connections at |30 with the lateral extensions of theinner piston construction D, as shown in Figures Similarly the pistons||5 and ||8 have strap connections at |3| with the yokes 80 and 8|.

The compression pistons vhave check valves associated therewith forinlet of air to -the -recomprising yokes .having elongated passagewaystherein in which the throw portions of the crank shaft slidably bear forreciprocation. 2. In an internal combustion engine the combination of anengine casing including a pair of cylinders in the same plane, opposedpistons in each cylinder, each piston in each cylinder being directlyand solidly connected to a piston in the other cylinder-so as to makesaid pistons double acting within said cylinders, a crank shaft locatedbetween the two cylinders having throw portions thereon laterally beyondeach side of the cylinders axis for each of the means which solidly.connects the pistons in said two cylinders together. g

3. In an internal combustion engine the com'- bination of a Icasing, apair of opposed cylinders, a crank shaft having throw portions at eachside laterally beyond the cylinderwalls, a pair of irmer pistonsoperating in said cylinders and being respectively connected together byextensions defining a passageway for receiving an. intermediate portionof said shaft whichv is located between the laterally positioned throwportions of the crank shaft, means for connecting said two pistons tosaid throw portions of the crank shaftlaterally of the axial line of thepistons,

said crank shaft having another pair of throw portions at each side ofthe cylinder axis, outer pistons operating in said cylinders in doubleacting relation with the inner pistons, and means connecting said outerpistons in operative relavtion with the last mentioned throw portions ofthe crank shaft.l

4. In an internal combustion engine the combination of an engine casingincluding opposed cylinders, pistons operating in said cylinders,selfadjusting yokes at the outer ends of said pistons flexibly attachedthereto and having arm portions extending laterally beyond said pistons,a crank shaft having throw portions laterally beyond the crank shafthaving throw portions laterally beyond the cylinder ,line and at eachside of the cylinder line, connecting rods connecting. said yokes witheach of said pistons at each side of the cylinder to said throw portionsof the crank shaft, each cf sai-d connecting rods being rigidlthroughoutits length from yoke to yoke. inner pistons operating in said cylindersin double acting opposed relation with the outer pistons and beingrigidly connected to each other, and means `connecting said innerpistons in operative relation with the crank shaft laterally outside thecylinders.

6. In an internal combustion engine the combination of an engine casingincluding opposed cylinders, pistons operating in said cylinders,

yokes at the outer ends of said pistons flexibly attached thereto andhaving arm portions extending laterally beyond said pistons, a crankshaft having throw portions laterally beyond the cylinder line and ateach side of the cylinder line, connecting rods connecting said yokewith each of said pistons at each side of the vcylinder to said throwportions of the crank shaft, inner pistons operating in said cylindersin double acting relation with the outer pistons, and means connectingsaid inner pistons in operative relation with the crank shaft, said lastmentioned means comprising throw portions upon the crank shaft laterallyoutside the cylinders at each side of the cylinders.

'7. In an internal combustion engine the combination of an engine casingincluding opposed cylinders, pistons operating in said cylinders, yokesat the outer ends of said pistons flexibly attached thereto and havingarm portions exv cylinder line and at each side of the cylinder.

tending laterally beyond said pistons, a, crank 'shaft having throwportions laterally beyond the cylinder line and at each side of thecylinder line, connecting rods connecting said yoke with each of saidpistons at each side of the cylinder to said throw portions of the crankshaft, inner pistons operating in said cylinders in double actingrelation with the outer pistons, and means connecting said inner pistonsin operative relation with -the crank shaft, ,said last mentioned meanscomprising throw portions upon the crank shaft laterally outside of thecylinders at each side of the cylinders, each of said pistons beinghollow, and means for forcing cooling air into the hollow chambers ofsaid pistons incident to reciprocation thereof.

8. In an internal combustion engine the combination of a casing havingopposed cylinders, a crank shaft constructed for the casing including apair of opposed throws at each side 0f the axial line of the cylinders,inner pistons for said cylinders directly and rigidly connectedtogether, means connecting said inner pistons operatively to a pair ofthe most adjacent throws of the crank shaft atA each side of thecylinder axis, outer pistons operating in the cylinders, meansconnecting said outer pistons directly and rigidly together, and meansconnecting the last mentioned means to the throws of the crank shaft ateach side of the cylinder axis, said means for connecting the inner andouter pistons to the throws of the crank shaft comprising yokes havingelongated passageways therein within which the throw portions of thecrank shaft slidably bear for lateral reciprocation.

9. In an internal combustion engine the combination of a casing, opposedcylinders upon the casing, a crank shaft between said cylindersoperatively supported by the casing, a pair of similarly constructedscavenging air compressor cylinders attached to the casing oneach sideof the engine cylinder line, pistons in said compressor cylinders, oneof the pistons in each pair of com-- pressor cylinders being operativelyconnected to one of the opposed piston groups, and the other piston ineach pair of compressor cylinders being operatively connected to theother piston group, means for directing the scavenging actionof two ofthese compressor cylinders to each piston cylinder, the vpistonconnections in the compressor cylinders being connected to the mainpiston group so as not to unbalance the inertia, power consumption andfriction of each moving cpposed piston group during any operation of theinternal combustion engine.

l0. In an internal combustion engine the combination of a casing,cylinders mounted in line with each other at opposite sides of thecasing, pistons in each of said cylinders directly and rigidly connectedtogether across the crank shaft, said crank shaft having throw portionsat each side of the cylinder line, and extensions for said pistonsoperatively connected t0 the throws of the crank shaft whereby to permitthe opposing cylinders and pistons to be disposed as closely together aspossible.

11. In an internal combustion engine the combination of a casing,cylinders mounted in line with each other, a crank shaft disposedbetween said cylinders, double acting pistons in each of said cylinders,corresponding pistons in said cylinders being directly and rigidlyconnected to each other for double acting opposed piston operation, saidcrank shaft having opposed pairs of throws on each side of the axialline of the cylinders and pistons, and suitable extension means affixedwith said pistons and having operative connection with said.crank shaftthrows whereby to permit the cylinders and pistons to be as closelydisposed together as possible.

12. In an internal combustion engine the combination of a casing, acrank shaft upon the casing, opposed cylinders mounted upon the casing,double acting inner and outer pistons in each of said cylinders, meansconnecting said pistons operatively to throws of the crank shaft,scavenging air compressors having pistons therein connected to andequally driven from each oscillating opposed piston group at each strokeof the pistons.

13. In an internal combustion engine a casing, cylinders carried uponthe casing in axial alignment with each other, a crank shaft upon thecasing centrally between the cylinders, the crank shaft having a pair ofopposed crank shaft throws at each side of and laterally beyond thecylinders, a pair of opposed pistons in each cylinder comprising innerand outer pistons in each of the cylinders, the inner pistons in thecylinders being directly and rigidlyconnected to each other and havinglateral extensions thereon connected to certain throws of the crankshaft laterally outside the cylinders, the outer pistons being directlyand rigidly connectedtoeach other and having means connecting them withcertain other crank shaft throws laterally of the cylinder line.

14. In an internal combustion engine the combination of a casing,opposed cylinders carried by the casing, a crank shaft centrally betweenthe cylinders having throw portions thereon, opposed inner pistons insaid cylinders, opposed outer pistons in said cylinders, said inner andouter pistons being adapted to operate in a double acting relation,means rigidly connecting the inner pistons together so that at all timesthey will be in diiinitely spaced rigidly connected relation during anyoperation of the engine, exteny-sion means operatively connected ltocertain throws of the crank shaft laterally outside the cylinders, meansrigidly connecting said outer pistons together in definitely spacedrelation at all times during engine operation, and means operativelyconnecting the last mentioned means to certain other throws of the crankshaft.

15. In an internal combustion engine the combination of a casing,opposed pistons carried by the casing, a, crank shaft between theopposed pistons, double acting hollow pistons in each cylinder of thecasing, stationary plungers carried by the casing adapted to receive thehollow chambers of the inner and outer pistons during reciprocation ofthe latter for the purpose of air cooling said pistons, and meansoperatively connecting said pistons to the crank shaft in double actingrelation.

16. In an internal combustion engine a casing, -a crank shaft for thecasing, opposed cylinders associated with the crank shaft at each sideof the crank shaft axis, said crank shaft having opposed throws at eachside of the cylinder axis and laterally outside of the cylinder walls,double acting pistons in each of the cylinders with the pistons in onecylinder in diametrically opposed relation to the pistons in the othercylinder, means operatively1 connecting the inner pair of pistons of thecylinders to the crank shaft throws laterally of the said cylinders andpistons, and means operatively connecting the outer pistons of thecylinders in balanced connected relation to the crank shaft throwslaterally of said cylinders.

l1'7. In an internal combustion engine the combination of a casingincluding opposed cylinders, a crank shaft construction for the casingincluding a pair of opposed throws at each side laterally outside of thecylinders, inner pistons for each cylinder having means connecting themto a pair of the most adjacent throws of the crank shaft and laterallybeyond and at each side of the lcylinders of the casing, outer pistonsoperating in the cylinder, and means connecting said outer pistons tothe outermost throws of the. crank shaft laterally beyond and at eachside of the V? cylinder of the casing.

' JQSEPH F. GEISER.

